TOM WARD - With college loans forgiven, taxpayers get shafted again

As thousands of parents take pride in graduating their sons and daughters from high schools and colleges in the days ahead, a worrisome crisis lies beneath the smiles. College is just too expensive.... more

ARLENE VIOLET - Is law enforcement getting sloppy?

It pains me to write this article. As a former attorney general and someone who up to this day works with ex-law enforcement officials, I, nonetheless, need to raise some pretty blatant occurrences... more

Letters to the Editor

Student involvement at meetings pointless

A question was recently asked by a taxpayer regarding student involvement and attendance at School Committee meetings and town budget hearings to help persuade taxpayers to vote to increase the... more

Time to take down the ribbons and begin the healing process

Don't you think it's time to ask people to remove the orange ribbons all over the telephone poles in town? Aidan's family needs to start the healing process now. It can't be easy to drive around and... more

Don't count on government to fund more school time

In a letter to the editor in The Valley Breeze and Observer dated May 8 proposing more school time, I was taken aback by the naivete of the writer regarding how the venture would be funded. He stated... more

North Providence on bad spending path

I would like to get on record that the public is not satisfied in the way (North Providence) is financially preparing for today and the future. The public voted the council members and mayor into... more

Mayor asked to reconsider automobile tax decision

To Mayor Lombardi: The elderly tenants of Douglas Manor Apartments were greatly disappointed in your recent decision to set aside your proposal to eliminate the automobile tax for North Providence... more

16 units shouldn't go on 'little spit of land'

Let me correct the record. "Affordable apartments approved for the corner of Mendon and Albion roads." This land is directly across from the side access to Seabra's Supermarket in Cumberland. It can... more

Automobile values unfairly high

I was just about to write a check for my 2013 Cumberland automobile tax when, having lots of time on my hands since I received my new (used) recycle bin, I decided to look online for the value of my... more

Why consolidate if tax savings are not there?

I want the fire districts to be consolidated like the other 80 percent of the residents of Cumberland because I want efficiencies in fire service that will lead to a reduction in my fire tax bill. If... more

Flynn: Charter school cost unfair to Lincoln

The taxpayers of the town of Lincoln are paying the tuition this year for 68 children enrolled in the Blackstone Valley Prep Mayoral Academy. This is costing the taxpayers $650,488 for this year.... more

On background checks, writer has his facts wrong

It was with little surprise, but a certain sense of amazement that I read Mr. Charles Lawrence's chastising editorial letter directed at me, and two of my colleagues over firearm purchase background... more

Budget Commission solution ignores school aid shortfall

We, the undersigned, noted with much interest the May 2 letter to The Valley Breeze submitted by the council president urging passage of legislation allowing issuance of a Supplemental Tax as well as... more

Museum thanks those who helped raise $33,000

The Museum of Work and Culture's annual appeal and raffle concluded on April 7 during the museum's Salute to Spring celebration. More than $33,000 to support educational programs and operation was... more

Correction

A letter by Charles Lawrence of Johnston, printed last week, was factually incorrect. In it he criticized three Republican state legislators for not supporting background checks on gun purchasers.... more

North Smithfield Budget Committee's work is unsatisfactory

It is time for the leadership in the Town of North Smithfield to conduct a zero-based review of the budget process, beginning with the design and function of the Budget Committee. In my capacity as... more

Unprofessional behavior seen in N.S. budget meeting

Recent articles for and against the North Smithfield Budget Committee's recent recommendations have really struck a cord recently. It was with great anticipation that I attended the May 7 meeting... more